Injury update

Royals manager Brian McDermott gave the assembled media an injury update in his press conference on Thursday morning.

With the Arsenal clash still days away, Brian couldn't confirm whether a number of players would be available for Monday night - but is hopeful on the fitness of Jason Roberts, Pavel Pogrebnyak and Jimmy Kebe. The fitness of Hal Robson-Kanu will also be waited on.

"It's difficult to say as we've got a few days before the game," he said. "But Jimmy Kebe will hopefully train.

"Robbo - we don't know yet, we'll have to wait and see. He pulled out the day before the Sunderland game. He travelled up with us but obviously wasn't available.

"Pavel - we don't know but we'll give them all every opportunity. Hopefully we can get a couple back."

Furthermore, McDermott said that Jem Karacan was able to train on Thursday, though he is unlikely to feature against Arsenal - while Alex McCarthy and Sean Morrison are both ruled out.

"Jem Karacan will train, but the Arsenal game is probably a bit too early for him. Sean Morrison and Alex McCarthy are both out."